Valve-operating motor



April 15'; i924. 1,490,102 I H. G. GEISSINGER VALVE OPERATING MOTOR OriginaI Filed Sept. 9, 1918 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I in \1|;

dime/2% .AW' a 4 Sheets-Sheet s fif 64 H. G; GEISSINGER VALVE OPERATING MOTOR A ril 15 1924.

Original Filed Sept. 9, 1918 April 15 1924.

H. G. GEISSINGER VALVE OPERATING MOTOR Original Filed Sept. 9, 19.18 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 i atenteri AW 9 imam FATENT QFFICE.

HARRY G. GEISSINGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIG-NOR TO VAPOR CAR HEATING,

COIEFANY, ING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK;

VALVE-OPERATING- MOTOR.

original application filed $eptemher 9, 1918, Serial No. 253,322; Divided and this application filed November 23, 1918.

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY G. Gmssmonn, a citizen or" the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valve-Operating Motors, of which the foldevices, to be hereinafter described and claimed, for carrying out certain objects and purposes which are very desirable for the proper regulation of the temperature of an apartment, more particularly a railway car. Among these objects are the following:

To provide an arrangement whereby the radiator valve is normally open so that in case any part of the controlling mechanism does not function, or does not function properly, throughi'ailure of the actuating electric current or air pressure, or otherwise, the supply of heating medium will not be shut oil. While overheating is undesirable whether a car be occupied or standing in the yard, it is better that the car be overheated than deprived entirely of its heat at the risk of freezing of water pipes and other inconveniences.

To provide a motor, preferably a fluid pressure motor to be operated by air from the compressed air system of the car, for shifting the radiator'valve under the control of a thermostatic device within the car, together with certain arrangements for adjustably attaching said motor to the casing of the radiator valve and for iurmshing an adjustment of the connections between the motor and valve so that this part of the mechanism will operate properly; the capacity for adjustment inthese respects being highly desirable it not indispensable for the successful operation'of the apparatus under working conditions. v,

To construct the air motor so that there will be no leakage of air therefrom at any point.

Serial No. 263,8'i1.

The invention will be more readily under stood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig l is a plan view of the radiator valve with the operating motor secured thereto;

Fig. 2 is a View in elevation ofthe valve and motor showing the radiator pipes and air inlet pipes in section; I ig. dis a side view of the parts shown in the preceding figure;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 44 0;"- Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 88 of Fig. 2, and,

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectionallview corresponding in position to that of Fig. 3, to illustrate the adjustable mounting of the motor on the radiator valve casing.

The device herein described, While applicable generally for the control of the flow of fluid, is intended more particularly for use in controlling the passage of steam or other heating medium to and from a radiator. In the application hereinbetore referred to the device is shown as applied to the heating system of a railway car, the valve-operating motor being actuated by air pressure supplied from the train air line, the supply of air to the motor being controlled by thermostatically controlled electrical devices. In view of the fact that the motor-operated valve may be used in other installations the device is specifically claimed herein without reference to the elements associated therewith by means of which it is caused to operate.

The device is primarily intended to be applied to a construction in which vapor heating is employed. In such a system steam or other heated fluid is supplied to the pipe (Figs. 1 and 8), passes into the chamber 26, and out through the pipe 27, into a radiator (not shown). The return pipe from the radiator is indicated at 28,

any vapor passing through the chamber 29, and out through the pipe 30, into any suitable thermostatically controlled vapor regulator. A vapor regulator similar to that shown in the patent to Gold, No. 1,077,525, dated Nov. 4c, 1913, may be employed. In a regulator of this type the radiator discharge outlet is open to the atmosphere. If a quantity of steam in excess of that which is condensed in the radiator passes through the regulator chamber, a thermostat contained in the chamber will act because of the heat of the discharged medium to lessen or interrupt the supply of steam which is admitted through the pipe 25.

The valve member 31, which serves to control the passage of heating medium through the radiator valve casing, is pro vided with a shaft 82, and the valve is normally maintained in the position of Fig. 8, by the action of a spring 83. Therefore if the controlling mechanism stops functioning, due for example to the failure of the electric or air supply, the apartment will not be, deprived of heat. It will be understood that when the valve member 31, is turned 90 from the position shown in Fig. 8, the steam entering through the pipe 25, will not be permitted to enter the radiator but will be short-circuited and caused to pass out through the pipe 80, into the vapor regulator which will automatically throttle the supply of steam.

The operative parts of the fluid pressure motor which I employ for operating the four-way valve heretofore described are supported upon a base 64, which is adjustably clamped to the four-way valve by means which will be hereinafter described. The base of the motor is formed with a circular opening 65, through which projects the stem 32, of the revoluble valve member 31, of the four-way valve. The sector gear 61, is secured to the stem 32, of the valve by a nut 67, the end of the stem being tapered and square in cross section as indicated at 68, The rack 60, which meshes therewith is recessed at 70, to provide lugs 71, through which extend loosely, adjusting and pivot screws 72, that screw into a lug 7 8, on the cylinder 59. The rack can pivot upon screws 72, so that when necessary to disconnect the motor from the Valve this may be done by turning back the rack as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. The longitudinal adjustment of the rack on the cyl inder, which can be accomplished by screwing the adjusting screws 72, in and out, is primarily for the purpose of positioning the rack on the cylinder and with respect to the sector gear so that at the out-stroke of the cylinder the head 74, of the cylinder. with its packing 75, (Figs. 5 and 6) will be brought to bear against the piston 58, just before the valve reaches the limit of its movements as fixed by certain stops with which valves of this type are provided. These stops are indicated in Figs. 1 and 4. 76 is a movable stop associated with the revoluble valve member 81, of the valve, and 77, and 78, are fixed stops on the valve casing. As the valve member is revolved by forward movement of cylinder 59, stop 76, approaches the fixed stop 78. In order to insure the proper seating of the packing 75, against the stationary piston 58, such seating should take place before stop 76, meets the stop 78, (valves of this type being provided with stops because they are ordinarily manipulated by hand) and this relation of the parts is made possible by a longitudinal adjustment of the rack on the cylinder. The cylinder is formed with grooves 79, for uiding it on guide strips 80, which are secured at one end to an upright support 81, by means of screws 82, the support being formed with slots 88, to receive the guide strips, and at the other end to a pair of spaced uprights 84, by means of the screws 85. The piston 58, has a hollow stem 86, which is screwed into a bore 87 in the support 81. This bore connects with a duct 88, to which leads an air pipe 45, which is connected to a suitable source of air or fluid under pressure. The bore 87, is closed by a plug 89, through which extends an adjustable pointed screw plug 90, the pointed extremity 91, of which projects into the orifice of the stem 86, of the piston. By adjusting the plug 90, the velocity of the air entering the motor may be varied so as to make the action of the motor slower or more rapid, as may be desired. A stop screw 92, extends through the support 81, to provide an adjustable abutment for the cylinder 59, on its back stroke.

The back stroke of the cylinder is brought about, when the cylinder is relieved of pressure, by means of the spring 38. The spring is attached at one end to a stud 98, on an u right member 9%, projecting from the base 64, of the motor and at the other end engages one extremity of the lever 95, which is pivoted on a stud 96, fixed to a projection 97, on the base of the motor. The other extremity of the lever bears against a stud 98, on a lug 99, formed on the cylinder 59. The forward head 100, of the cylinder at the forward end thereof, is secured to the cylinder by screws 101. a packing 102, being interposed between the head and cylinder so as to prevent any leakage of air.

The founway valve is of a construction commonly used in connection with vapor 1 car heating systems, the sector gear 61, taking the place of the usual handle. The stem 32, of the revoluble valve member 31 extends through a bonnet 103, on the casing 104, of the valve, a spiral spring 105, be ing interposed between the top of the bonnet and the valve member.

The air motor, as above described, is adjustably secured to the top of the fourway valve as follows: Depending from the front edge of the base 64, of the motor is 2. lug 106, to fit the space between the hexagonal bosses 107, into which the radiator inlet and outlet pipes 27, 28, are tapped. A screw 108, passes through the base and lug 106, and has a threaded engagement with a nut 109, which is designed to fit against the under diagonal faces of the bosses. By this means the motor may be clamped more or less rigidly to the valve casing. Another bolt 110, passes through the opposite edge of the base and engages a nut 111, which bears against the lower diagonal faces of a pair of hexagonal bosses 112, 112, into which the pipes 25 and 30, are tapped. On this side of the base there is no lug to bear against the upper diagonal faces of the bosses, such as lug 106, on the front side of the device, so that by tightening bolt 110, the base of the motor may be shiftedto raise or lower the rack 69, with respect to the sector gear on the valve stem 66, of the four-way valve, as best shown in Fig. 9, this adjustment being necessary in view of the fact that these valves are castings and exact uniformity of construction and contour of parts cannot be counted upon. In order to accurately and rigidly position the motor with respect to the four-way valve casing, two set screws 113, are threaded through the base of the motor so as to bear against the top of the valve casing.

Suitable means will be provided for controlling the sup-ply of fluid pressure to the motor. This control may be efi'ected in any desired manner, as by a thermostat acting directly on the air supply or acting through the medium of electrically controlled devices. As such devices form no part of this invention I will not describe the same in detail. Such means are described and claimed in my co-pending application heretofore referred to of which this is a division.

While I have described my invention in a preferred embodiment it will be understood that modifications might be made without departure from the principles of the invention. I wish it to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not to be considered as limited to the constructions, arrangements and devices shown and described, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having a revoluble stem provided with a gear, a motor, the driven member of whichv is provided with a rack adapted to mesh with said gear, said rack having a movable connection with said driven member of the motor so that it may be disengaged from the gear to allow the valve to be moved independently of the motor.

2. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator, a motor for operating the valve, and a driving connection between the motor and valve comprising a rack and a gear, the former being pivotally supported so that it may be disengaged from the gear to allow the valve to be moved independently of the motor.

3. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator, provided with a revoluble valve member, a spring to hold said valve member in one position, a motor to move the valve to another position, a gear on said revoluble valve member, and a rack pivoted to the driven member of the motor so that it may be placed either in mesh or out of mesh with said gear to allow the valve to be moved independently of the motor.

4. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for control ling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having a revoluble stem provided with a gear, a motor having a reciprocating member and a rack longitudinally adjustable on said reciprocating member which. meshes with said gear.

5. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having a revoluble stem provided with a gear, a motor having a reciprocating member, a rack on said member adapted to mesh with said gear, a lever adapted to be rocked by movement of said reciprocating member, and a spring engaged by the lever for moving said rack in the opposite direction.

6. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having a revoluble stem provided with a gear, a motor having a reciprocating member, a rack on said member adapted to mesh with said gear, a lever adapted to be rocked by movement of said reciprocating member, and a spring engaged by the lever for moving said rack in the opposite direction, said rack being pivotally connected to and longitudinally adjustable upon the reciprocating member of the motor.

7. The combination of a valve adapted to be usedwith a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having a revoluble stem provided with a gear, a motor having a reciprocating member, a rack on said member adapted to mesh with said gear, a lever adapted to be rocked by movement of said reciprocating member,

a spring engaged by the lever for moving said racl: in the opposite direction, and adjusting screws by which the rack is pivotally connected to the reciprocating member of the motor with capacity for longitudinal adjustment thereon.

S. The combination or" a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having a movable valve member, stops for limiting the movement of said valve member, a fluid operated motor comprising piston and cylinder elements, one of which is stationary and the other movable, a packing between the same against which the movable element bears at the limit of its out-stroke, and a driving connection between said movable element of the motor and the valve member comprising two co-engaging members, one which is adjustable, for the purpose described.

9, The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for controlling the supply of heating medium to the radiator and having movable stops for limiting the movement of said valve member, a fluid operated motor comprising piston and cylinder elements, one of which is stationary and the other movable, a packing between the same against which the movable element bears at the limit of its out-strol e, gear on said valve member, and a rack which is longitudinally adjustable upon the movable element of the motor.

10. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator -for admitting heating medium to the radiator comprising a casing, and a revoluble valve member therein having a stem projecting through the casing, a motor comprising a base for attachment to said valve casing, a driving connection between the driven element of the motor and said valve stem, and means providing a rigid connection between the base of the motor and the valve casing which is adjustable to vary the angular position of the motor with respect to the valve casing.

11. The combination of avalve adapted to be used with a radiator for admitting heating medium to the radiator comprising a casing, and a revoluble valve member therein having a stem projecting through the top 01"" the casing, a motor comprising a base for attachment to the top of the valve casing, a driving connection between the driven element of the motor and said valve stem, abutments on opposite sides of said casing, means for clamping the base of the motor to both the top and the bottom of the abutment on one side of the casing and engaging the same with the bottom of the abutment on the other side of the casing, and set screws through the base of the motor adapted to bear against the top oi the valve casing.

12. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for admitting heating medium to the radiator comprising a casing and a revoluble valve member therein having a stem provided with a gear, a motor comprising base and a reciprocating element on the base having a rack to mesh with saic gear, two pairs of spaced abutments on opposite sides oi the casing, a projection on one side of the motor base to bear against the abutinents on the corresponding sides of the valve casing, a nut to bear against the lower surlaces of said abutments, a. clamping screw extending through said projection and nut, a nut to bear against the under sides; oi. the abutmems on the other sides of the valve casing, and a bolt engaging said nut and the base of the motor, and set screws extending through the base of the motor to bear against the upper surface of the valve casing.

13. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for admitting heating medium to the radiator comprising a revoluble valve member having a stem provided with a gear, a fluid pressure actu ated motor comprising a stationary piston and a movable cylinder, the piston having bore tl'irough which fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinder, a rack connected with said cylinder, a lever adapted to be rocked by the outward movement of the cylinder, and a spring associated with the lever so as to be put under tension by the rocking movement thereof.

is. The combination of a valve adapted to be used with a radiator for admitting heating medium to the radiator comprising a revoluble valve member having a stem provided with a gear, a fluid pressure actuated motor comprising a stationary piston and a movable cylinder, the piston having a bore through which fluid pressure is admitted to the cylinder, a rack connected with said cylinder, a lever adapted to be rocked by the outward movement of the cylinder, and a spring associated with the lever so as to be put under tension by the rocking movement thereof, said rack being pivotally connected with the cylinder with capacity for longitudinal adjustment thereon.

15. The combination with a valve comprising a casing and a valve member having a stem projecting from said casing, a iluid pressure ope ated motor adjustably connected to said valve casing comprising a cylinder and a piston, one of which is mov able with respect to the other and is provided with a raclt, a gear on said valve stem adapted to be meshed by said rack, means whereby said rack may be adjusted longitudinally thereof and moved out of mesh with the gear, a spring for returning the movable member of the motor to its normal position when relieved of pressure, and

rea ies means for varying the velocity at which the pressure fluid enters the cylinder of the motor.

16. "in a fluid pressure motor, the combination With a revolnble element provided with a gear, of a pivoted rack adapted to be oscillated into and out of engagement with aid gear to allow the revoluble element to as moved independently of the motor, a cylnder to which said rack is pivoted, means or adjusting said rack longitudinally relaive to said cylinder, a fixed piston, and means ror supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder.

17. in a iiuid pressure motor, the combina .tion of a revoluble element having a gear, base, a cylinder slidably mounted thereon, rack pivoted to said cylinder so as to be movable into and out of engagement With the gear, means for adjusting said rack longitudinally of the cylinder, a fixed piston, and means for supplying fluid under pressure to said cylinder.

18. in a valve operating fluid pressure motor, the combination with the casing of the valve, of a base for the motor having a projection adapted to engage said casing, a cylinder and piston carried by the base, and means'tor shitting the angular position of said base relative to the casing to adjust the motor with respect to the valve.

19. In a valve operating fluid pressure motor, the combination with the casing of the valve, of a base having a projection adapted to interlock With said casing, a cylinder and piston carried by said base, and a pair of oppositely acting screws to shift the angular position of the base relative to the valve casing and to retain the parts in adjusted position.

20. In valve operating motor, the combination With the valve casing, of a base having a projection adapted to interlock with the casing, a piston and cylinder carried by the base, screw-operated means engaging the base and the opposite side of the valve casing, and screw-operated means acting in pposition to the last nained screw means, the parts being arranged in such manner that the base may be oscillated on the casing With the projection as fulcrum and held in adjusted position.

21.1'11 a device of the class described, the combination 0:? a valve casing, a valve mounted therein, valve stem, a gear secured to the stem, a reciprocating cylinder, a rack pivoted to the cylinder, the rack being adapted to be swung into and out of engagement with the gear to allow the valve to be moved independently of the rack, means for effecting longitudinal adjustment of the rack relative to the cylinder, a fixed piston, and spring means tending to maintain the cylinder in an extreme position.

HARRY G. GEISSINGER. 

